History of Cumberland and Adams counties, Pennsylvania. Containing history of the counties, their townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc, Part 106

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Publisher: W. Taylor
Number of Pages: 1280

USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > History of Cumberland and Adams counties, Pennsylvania. Containing history of the counties, their townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 106
USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > History of Cumberland and Adams counties, Pennsylvania. Containing history of the counties, their townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 106

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HENRY FORRY, farmer, P. O. Mechanicsburg, was born in York County, Penn., in 1823, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits since a mere lad. His parents, Ulrich and Susannah (Low) Forry, of German origiu, reared a family of three children: Maria, Elizabeth and Henry. Henry Forry came to Cumberland County in 1871, and, having lived near the line for twenty-six years, is as well acquainted with the people as a native. He married, in 1844, Miss Matilda Shearer, of York County, and by her has three chil- dren living: George, Henry and Susannah, all of whom were born in York County, and are now married and doing well. Susannah is the wife of Samuel Burkheimer, and resides on the old homestead, near her parents. Henry owns a farm in York County, Penn., and George follows agriculture near Mechanicsburg. Mr. Forry purchased his present farm in 1870, and has added largely to its improvements as well as to the original tract, and now owns 100 acres of the finest land in the Cumberland Valley, which cost him $280 per acre, Mr. and Mrs. Forry live quite a retired life, renting the farm to Mr. Burk- heimer, the income maintaining them in elegant style, and their last days are pleasantly spent. They are hoth members of the Mennonite Church, and have hosts of friends who well know their worth.

JAMES FULTON, mechanic, P. O. Mechanicsburg, was born in Dillsburg, York Co., Penn., in 1832. His parents, Alexander and Mary (Deardorf) Fulton, reared a family of nine children: John, Mary A., Jane, Thomas, William, Catharine, David, James and Cal- vin. Of these Thomas was a Methodist minister, stationed at Sinnamahoning, Clinton Co .. Penn., and while in that wild and unimproved country induced his brother David A .. who was a carpenter, to join him, as there was great need of mechanics to erect homes for the pioneers then rapidly settling in the neighborhood. James, who was then fifteen, ac- companied his brother, with whom he learned the carpenter's trade. Fully one-half the distance traveled was on foot, through a country without roads and very mountainous. Little thought the lad that the uninviting forest to him. at that time, would be his home for many years, but though his labors at first brought him but a small income yet he

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became satisfied with the wild life led in that rapidly improving country, and almost before he realized it had attained his majority and found himself the husband of a young wife, Margaret, daughter of Henry and Jane (Mason) Shaffer, one of the most prominent pioneer families in that region. Her grandfather, James Shaffer. a Revolutionary soldier, died at the ripe age of eighty years. Two years later James Fulton and his brother pur- chased a tract of land and erected a hotel at Wykoff's Eddy, then a great lumber center where all the supplies were brought in by boats from Lock Haven, 50 miles distant. He was proprietor of this hotel for ten years, during which time the P. & D. Railroad was completed. Selling his hotel property Mr. Fulton again commenced his trade, con- tinuing same until 1883, when he came to Mechanicsburg and purchased a half interest in Miller & King's planing mill. In October of the following year he disposed of his interest in the mill. Mr. Fulton and wife have seven children: Mary J., Eliza A .. William A., Nancy E., Kate, John Il. and Alice, the last two mentioned being deceased. Our subject. a self- made man, acquired his money by honest toil and good business management. lle com- meneed working at his trade for $4 per month, increased the second year to $6, and the third to $18 per month. He has accumulated a considerable fortune and is a liberal, enterprising man. Ins pleasant home is situated near the borough limits, convenient to business, on a site overlooking the mountain range and the beautiful borough of Me- chaniesburg.

ABRAM E. GARRETT, stock dealer. P. O. Mechanicsburg. On what was formerly known as the old Bullinger farm, but which has been in the possession of the Garrett family for sixty-five years, resides Abram E. Garrett, one of the most widely known men of the township. He was born on this farm in 1842. His grandfather, John Garrett, came with his family from Lancaster County, Penn., in 1820, and purchased quite a large tract of land. At his death the estate was divided among his children: Frederick, Jacob, John, Andrew, Ann and Susan, of whom Andrew and Ann are now living. Frederick Garrett, the father of our subject, inherited the homestead, and subsequently married Harriet, daughter of Abraham and Susan Lobaugh. of Adams County, Penn. They commenced housekeeping on the Reeser farm, but a few years later moved on the farm where a son now resides, and which was noted in an early day for its immense cherry orchard. The neighbors from adjoining villages and the city of Harrisburg came by scores to secure the luscious fruit. (This was before the farm came into the possession of the Garretts.) Frederick Garrett and his wife were the parents of eleven children: Anna, Catharine, William, Susan, Elizabeth, Harry, Abram E., Amos, Lucy, Margaret and Emma, of whom Abram E. and Lucy are the only ones living in the county. The death of Frederick Gar- rett occurred in 1873, and that of his widow in 1882. Our subjeet received a practical education in the schools of his district, and has been quite a noted man in the township and county since the commencement of his business life. At the age of nineteen years, August 23, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Eleventh Peunsylvania Cavalry, and served three years, mostly in the Army of the Potomac. He was engaged in some of the most memorable battles of the war, beginning with the Seven Days' fight, in which the Union Army was driven back from Richmond to the James River; the battle of Kelly's farm in which 104 men of his regiment were killed or wounded in a four hours' skirmish; the Blackwater River, Petersburg, Malvern Ilill and Reame Station, where nearly half the men were lost. Where the bullets were thickest there was found this brave soldier, who seemed to hear a charmed life. Once only did he feel a bullet, which just grazed his throat as he was taking the saddle from a horse killed by a shot aimed at his rider. Ile was hon- orably discharged August 23, 1864. In December, 1866, Mr. Garrett was married to Mary J. Karns, a daughter of Henry and Sarah Karns, of this county, and who was born and reared at Roxbury, her family being one of the old and prominent ones in that part of the county; her father served as county commissioner and in other official positions, and was a prominent local politician. Mr. and Mrs. Abram E. Garrett were parents of seven chil- dren, six now living: Harry G., C. Frederick. Iola E., Andrew K., Ruth L. and Eli M. The business life of our subject has been confined to farming and stock dealing, and for years he has been one of the principal shippers at this point. Ilis political influence in the township has been felt for years, and many who have filled official positions owe their election to his able management. He bas, since his return from the army, been connected with the affairs of his township in an official capacity, and no man has served with greater zeal. For twelve years he has been secretary of the school board, and has been a director in the schools for almost twenty years. He is a prosperous business man, a kind father and generous provider for his family, and one of the most popular men in the township.

JAMES GRAIIAM, farmer, Mechanicsburg. In presenting the name of this gentle- man it can be pointed with pride to his long line of ancestry who have been for so many years identified with the business interests of the county and township, whose titles to lands bear the signature of William Penn, and have never changed ownership, save as they have descended from father to son, and from uncle to nephew. His great-great- grandfather, James Graham, settled on the farm now owned by our subject in 1685, hav- ing emigrated from Ireland. James Graham, the grandfather of our subject, was the eld-

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est son, and married Miss Lytle, of Lancaster County, Penn., who bore him five children, and of whom Johu. the father of our subject, was the second son. John Graham was married, in 1811, to Miss Helen Taylor, of Halifax. Dauphin Co., Penn., and two sons and four danghters blessed their union, but all left home in the course of time except James Graham, Jr., who was presented by his uncle, James Graham, Sr., with the farm on which he has lived for so many years. He (James Graham, Jr.) was born June 25, 1823; was married, in the autumn of 1849, to Miss Lonisa S. Stalter, of Bedford County, Penn., and has three daughters living: Ella, married to Martin L. Granville; Louisa mar- ried to A. B. Clarks, of the United States Navy, and Bordetta; three danghters are deceased. Mr. Graham has served as assessor, and has acceptably filled other township offices. He and his wife have always been ardent members of the Presbyterian Church. They are hale and hearty, and expect to enjoy many years of happiness.

HENRY HERTZLER, farmer, P. O. Shepherdstown. In 1850 Rudolph and Mary (Shupp) Hertzler came from Lancaster County, Penn., and settled one mile north of Giv- ler's mill, in Monroe Township, this county. They had five children: Henry. Mary and Elizabeth (twins), Esther and Levi. Rudolph Hertzler died September 4, 1855, and in 1861 his widow married Jacob Mumma. Our subject spent his boyhood days on a farm, and when twenty-one years of age began clerking in a grocery store in Indianapolis, Ind., where he had gone on a pleasure trip. When he returned to Cumberland County he ac- cepted a position with J. A. Kauffman, in Mechanicsburg, continuing in that position until his marriage, January 7, 1873, with Naomi J., daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Zane) Emminger, of this connty. Mr. and Mrs. Hertzler the next year commenced housekeep- ing on her father's farm, remaining there nine years. In 1882 Mr. Hertzler made his first purchase of land, buying what was then known as the Milton Stayman tract, and which was finely improved and located near schools and churches. Although a young man our subject has for a number of years been officially connected with the schools in his town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Hertzler have four children: Hugh L., born October 9, 1876; Frank Revere, born July 16, 1878; Paul Mervin, born November 2, 1882, and Mary E., born July 10, 1884. Coming from such an honored ancestry on both sides the parents of these chil- dren have reason to feel proud of their lineage, and the completeness of their family his- tory equals, perhaps, that of any in the land.

MRS. ELIZA HORST, P. O. Shiremanstown, who for thirty years has been a resi- dent of this township, is a native of Lancaster County, Penn. Her parents, Henry and Anna (Landis) Mohler, had nine children, of whom she is the eldest daughter. After the death of her father our subject came to this county, and Jannary 30, 1849, while en route, was married to Rev. David Horst, a worthy man, who was born on the farm now owned by his widow. Their married life was commenced under favorable auspices, and for a number of years they lived in supreme happiness. No children came to cheer their home, but two girls were adopted; one, Annie Mohler, a niece of Mrs. Horst, and the other, Kate Callar, who was born in this township. Both are still living with Mrs. Horst, who has been to them a loving mother and careful instructor from their early childhood. Rev. David Horst continued as pastor of the Lower Cumberland Brethren congregation until his death, September 15, 1863. He was renowned for his upright life and endeavors to benefit his brethren in this community. He was an active worker for Christ's cause, and large accessions were made to the church through his ministrations. Perhaps no man bas lived in the township whose death was more regretted or loss more deeply felt. He left a competence for his widow, who still entertaius with that old-time hospitality for which her nationality and faith are so noted. While this sketch was being written a number of friends and relatives were visiting her, and, previous to their departure, en- gaged in song and praise to that Power who keeps them in existence and sustains their faith firmly in the hope of a blessed future. No more fitting tribute can be given to the departed husband than to say "He hath done what he could." His widow is a personifi- cation of all the graces and attributes of a true Christian.

ANDREW C. KNODERER, farmer, P O. Shepherdstown, was born September 22. 1833, in Hellam Township, York Co., Penn. His grandparents, Andrew C. Knoderer and wife, came with their three children, Harriet, Emma and Charles A., from France, and settled in York County, Penn., and there one daughter, Sophia, was born. By trade the grandfather of our subject was a weaver, an occupation he followed in the village of York until his death. Charles A., the only son, was married to Magdalena Scherrer, in 1825; and by her had ten children: David, Leah, Sophia, Henrietta, Maria, Andreas and Abraham (twins), Daniel, Charles and Lucy A. Of these, six are yet living. and five are residents of Cumberland County. Andrew C. Knoderer is by trade a carpenter, which he worked at for some time before coming to this connty. In 1857 he married Elizabeth Phillips, of Adams County, Penn., who bore him the following children: John, Jacob and Maggie. The mother died in 1861, and on August 4, 1864, Mr. Knoderer was married to Susan Landis of this county. Her father was a man widely known and highly respected for his many virtues, and his children are now received among the first families in the land. The first purchase of land made by Mr. Knoderer, in this county, was in 1867. when he bought his present farm. and which was enlarged from the York County farm, as Mrs. Knoderer received from her

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father's estate a nice sum of money, which has been judiciously invested with that of her husband, and their lands have become very valuable. To Mr. and Mrs. Kno- derer have been born four children: I. Romaine, D. Frank, Milton A. and Anme L. Frank is a carpenter, and works with his father, who is still an active business man. During Mr. Knoderer's business career he has built thirty two bank barns in this and York Counties, which will, no doubt, remain as landmarks years after his sphere of usefulness has passed

GEORGE H. MILLER, retired. Shepherdstown, one of the best known citizens of this town hip, is the son of Adam Miller, who came to this county as early as 1805, being then a mere boy; was employed in various pursuits and all the time accumulating money. Later in life he went to Dauphin County. Penn., and there learned the shoe-maker's trade, after which he returned to Upper Allen Township. this county, and opened a shop ou the Samuel Mohler farin and prospered financially. March 14, 1817, he was married to Sophia, daughter of Henry Hann, of York County, Penn., and housekeeping was commenced on the Mohler farm. and there was born Ann, now the wife of John Graybill, of Indiana. In 1818 Adam Miller moved to the Eberly farm, near Shepherdstown, where he conducted business for thirty six years, and there were born and reared following named children: George H., Catharine, Christiana. Sarah, Jacob, Eliza and Mary E. Ile purchased another farm later, and moved on it about 185-1, but afterward sold it and went to live with his son, George, at whose home he and his faithful wife spent the remainder of their days. George II. Miller was born July 22, 1819; was married, September 24. 1813. to Sus- annah, daughter of Nicholas Urich, one of the pioneers of the Cumberland Valley. In 1844 George Miller and his young wife commenced on the farm, where for six years their life was one of domestic peace and prosperity, and on this farm their children, George W., Susan E. and Adam U., were born. The death of Mrs. Miller, in 1849, was the first sorrow that came to this household. Mr. Miller then moved, and September 9, 1851. mar- ried Sarah Ann Beelman, who bore him the following children: Laura E., Matilda C., Sarah H., Elmer E. and Ida C. George W., Mr. Miller's son, enlisted in the Two Hundred and Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served during the Iate war of the Rebellion as first sergeant; his death occurred in February, 18:0. Our subject remained on the farm until 1884, when he removed to Shepherdstown, which he will probably make his home 1be balance of his life. He has ever been a man on whom the people could look with confidence. He has reared a family which do him honor, and has given his children liberal educational advantages, and George and Laura have been teachers. Politically Mr. Miller has always been a Democrat, and has held many official positions of trust in the township, and of him it may he said that he is a fit representative of that intrinsic worth which distinguished the families of a century ago.

HARRY J. MILLER, farmer, P. O. Mechanicsburg, one of the prosperous business men whose family history can be traced back for two centuries, is of German origin, his great-great grandparents coming from Switzerland to Pennsylvania in 1732. George Miller, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Switzerland in 1722, and with his father, Michael, settled near Elizabethtown, in Lancaster County; united with the church and was the first minister of the Big Swatava German Baptist Church. He died in 1798, leaving ten children, of whom Henry begat Moses, who married Hannah Mohler, and by her had six children: Sarah; Amos, died in infancy; infant daughter deceased; Harry J., born June 26, 1848; Solomon and Mary. On the great-grandmother's side George Klein, the first minister at North Kill (now Little Swatava), was born at Zweibrucken, Germany, in 1715, and settled at North Kill in 1750. Elizabeth, the daughter of George Klein, was the mother of Moses Miller, who was the father of Harry J. Miller. Moses died June 26, 1885, aged sixty- five years, two months and twenty-nine days. Our subject has trav- eled over much of the Western country, and has ever been a close observer of the methods and manners of the people. He received a liberal education, adopted the vocation of a teacher, and for several terms taught in this township. near his boyhood's home, where he gave satisfaction. In 1869 he formed the acquaintance of Miss Martha C. Hutton, of Adams County, Penn., who was later married to Harry B. Palmer. After Mr. Palmer's death, in September. 1880, Mr. Miller renewed the acquaintance, and November 11, 1883, they were married (Mrs. Miller had three children by her first husband: Edgar, Bertha and Lillie, the latter died in 1880). To Mr. and Mrs. Miller was born, August 18, 1884, a daughter, Orca Z. They reside on a handsome farm near Shepherdstown, which was willed to Mr. Miller by his father at the death of his mother, who still lives in Mechanics- burg. In politics Mr. Miller is a Republican. He has done effective work for his party in this neighborhood. though he has never held or desired office for himself.

SOLOMON MILLER, farmer, P. O. Mechanicsburg, was born in the house in which he resides, in this township, May 18, 1850, the son of Moses and Hannah (Mohler) Miller. who were residents of Cumberland County fifty-eight years. llis great-great-grandfather, Ludwick Mohler, came, with his family. from Switzerland in 1730, settling near German- town, and was the father of Henry, the father of John, the father of Daniel, who was the father of Hannah Miller, the mother of our subject. On the father's side the great-grand- father, Michael Miller, also came from Switzerland, and settled in Lancaster County, Penu.,

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in 1722. He begat George, who begat Henry, who begat Moses Miller, the father of our subject. George Klein, the great-great-grandfather on the father's side, was a native of Zweibrucken, Germany, born October 9, 1715. The Mohlers were one of the first families in this county, and many of the residents of this township trace their origin to this name. Solomon Miller, our subject, married Miss Hettie Hertzler, a daughter of Rudolph and Mary (Shoop) Hertzler, both born in Lancaster County. [For a sketch of Rudolph and Mary Hertzler, see sketch of Henry Hertzler, page 568.] On her twenty-second birthday, October 16, 1873, the ceremony was performed by the groom's father, Moses Miller, an el- der in the German Baptist Church. Two sons, Clarence H. and Elmer R., have blessed their union. Sinee their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Miller have resided on the farm where he was born.

DAVID S. MOHLER, farmer, P. O. Mechaniesburg, is a grandson of Christian and Magdalena (Springer) Mohler, who were born in Cumberland County, Penn., the latter March 7, 1780, and after their marriage resided in this county, mostly in this township. They were the parents of sixteen children, of whom Samuel, the father of our subject, was the eldest son, and only one, Mrs. Esther Hoover, is now a resident of this county. Samuel Mohler married Miss Rachael, daughter of Henry Miller, of this county. Three of Mrs. Mohler's brothers and one sister reside in Cumberland County. Four daughters and two sons of the family of Samuel Mohler are now residents of this county. David S. Mohler, the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage, June 19, 1860, with Miss Mary Bowman. October 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Third Regiment Pennsylvania Artillery, and served as a musician during his term of enlistment, being stationed at Fort Monroe, Va. He was honorably discharged, on account of disability, February 20, 1864. After farming for seven years he engaged in mercantile business until 1879, at Shiremans- town, this county, since when he has resided on the farm upon which he was born. Mr. and Mrs. David S. Mohler have two children living: Ida M. and Myrta V .; the second born died at his birth. Our subject has served his township as supervisor and for five years as school director. For many years he was engaged in teaching vocal and instru- mental music, and for seven years had charge of the Harmonic Society of Shiremanstown, an organization noted throughout this.and adjoining counties.

LEVI MOHLER, farmer, P. O. Mechanicsburg, a representative of one of the first families that settled in this township, was born August 20, 1845, on the old homestead, the second son of Samuel and Rachael (Miller) Mohler, who were for many years residents of this beautiful valley. Their children, ten in number, were all born on the old homestead, and Elizabeth, David, Mary, Priscilla, Levi and Hetty are still living in this county. Mrs. Mohler died February 8, 1870, and Samnel Mohler June 1, 1885. Both were for many years devout members of the German Baptist Brethren Church, and their children were reared in that faith. The parents of Samnel Mohler, Christian and Magdalena (Springer) Mohler, came from Germany to this county, and early settled on the farm now owned by our subject, and which has been in possession of the Mohlers over three-quarters of a cen- tury. They reared a family of fourteen children, who are now scattered over the States and Western Territories. Levi Mohler was educated in the common schools and adopted farm life. He married, July 4, 1869, Miss Fanny Beelman, of York County, Penn., daughter of Rev. Adam Beelman, who for thirty years was a minister in that county. The first year of Mr. and Mrs. Mohler's wedded life was spent with her parents, since which time they have resided on the Mohler homestead. They are the parents of five chil- dren: Harry B., Martha, Mary, Clara and Annie. The remote ancestors of Mrs. Mohler were from Germany, but her father, Rev. Adam Beelman, was born in this county, and her mother, Mattie (Hnrst) Beelman, was a native of York County, Penn. This aged and worthy conple are living, and Rev. Beelman supplies a pulpit, being the oldest minister in the Lower Cumberland District of the Middle District of Pennsylvania. George and Eve (Metzgar) Beelman, grandparents of Mrs. Mohler on the father's side, were the par- ents of six children: George, Adam, John, Fanny, Sarah and Joseph. On the mother's side her grandparents were Abraham and Elizabeth Hurst, who reared a family of nine children: Christian, Fannie, Abram, Henry, Maria, Eliza, Naney, Martha and Hetty.

AMOS MUMMA, grain dealer, P. O. Shepherdstown. One of the first and most prom- inent families in this county is that of the father of Amos Mumma, and a lengthy history of Jacob Mumma, the grandfather of our subject, appears in the borough history of Mechanicsburg, and different branches of this family are represented in the several town- ships in which they reside. Our subject is a son of Jacob and Catharine (Eberly) Mumma. His mother's first husband, Mr. Rupp, a farmer, died soon after the birth of her third child, when she became the second wife of Jacob Mumma. and hore him the following children: Eli, Jacob, Amos, Fanny, Eliza and Samuel-all of whom were born in Cumber- land County, and living at this time, except Samuel and Fanny. Amos Mumma was mar- ried, November 17, 1868, to Marion E., daughter of Christian and Lydia (Miley) Herman, also of this county. The Hermans were among the first settlers near New Kingston, com- ing in 1771, and the representatives of this family celebrated their centennial in 1871, children of the sixth generation being present on that occasion. The original farm is now owned by Wolford Herman, and the land has been in possession of the name since the

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Author: Publication date: Publisher: W. Taylor Number of Pages: 1280

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher: W. Taylor
Number of Pages: 1280